“Remain cautious. From Centre to state ministers, all are falling ill. Many of our doctors, nurses, health workers, police and journalists are getting affected. Still, our friends are working hard putting their lives at risk. Help our administration to organise the mela well,”
The Kolkata airport has also informed that as per state government directives, thrice a week restrictions on flight travels shall be applicable only for the cities of Nagpur, Pune and Ahmedabad.
As a measure to combat pollution, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata will assist in the removal of idols after immersion from Baje Kadamtola Ghat (Babu Ghat) and Judges Ghat. The port authorities said suitable arrangements have been made at the ghats through contractors by deploying pontoon mounted cranes, stationing three mechanized boats at each ghat.
According to the guidelines, the pandals have to be spacious and kept open from all sides for proper ventilation, hand sanitisers will have to be mandatorily placed at the vicinity of the pandals and wearing face masks will be binding.
All schools will prepare an isolation centre to handle any student who is detected Covid-19 positive, full vaccination is compulsory for all teaching as well as the non-teaching staff, and all protocols shall be stringently followed during the school hours.
Mr Sharma said they were planning to unveil a mobile application so that people can get access to locations of the pandals, local police stations, police assistance booths, hospitals and nursing homes. "It will have an SOS option, which will connect people directly with the police control room,"
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has repeatedly said that the state needs to be on alert in the wake of an increase in Covid cases in Maharashtra and Kerala.
"Our preparations are going on in full swing… People in this city would have felt disheartened had there been no celebration. All puja committee members have decided to shun pomp and show. They will, however, make an aesthetic presentation, in line with our culture and tradition,"
Pujo comes at that time of the year when the delicate aroma of shiuli begins to waft in the air, the tremulous 'Kash phools' quiver in the autumnal wind, and the din of newness and preparation dilates the city. Unfortunately, these whiffs and aromas will have to be capped by the mask and violated by the sanitiser even this year.
"The session would comply with all Covid protocols and members who have not taken the vaccine jabs will be provided, besides facilities would be there to do RT-PCR and Antigen tests," said Rajesh.
